Today’s Devotion
Topic: Abandoned But Not Forgotten! (Self Assessment 116)
Background: In life, many sad things can happen, even to the blameless and it make them feel abandoned and dejected. Especially when their troubles keep increasing by the day with no hope of a brighter day.
This was the situation of a young man in the bible called Joseph. His life moved from bad to worse though he tried to live for God all his life. Every good deed that should bring him blessings rather degenerated into something to make his life worse off. In the end, it looked as if he had been abandoned by all to suffer BUT God had not forgotten him.
Let’s delve into today’s studies to ascertain the circumstances God used to prove Himself faithful to the young man.
Text: Gen 40: 5a, 8b, 9-15; 41:1, 8-16
5a Each of the two men- the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison- had a dream the same night. 8b then Joseph said to them, “do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.
9 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”
12 “This is what it means,” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
41:1a 1a When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream. 8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Amen
Questions:
I. From your understanding of all scripture, why do you think God allows trials our way, even to the most innocent and blameless?
ii. The cupbearer and baker did not know the Hebrew God we know and love, yet they dreamt. Does it mean God reveals to all through dreams without discrimination?
iii. In chapter 40:8b, Joseph said all interpretations belong to God. Kindly explain how true this is.
iv. Why do you think Joseph went ahead to tell his story to the cubbearer after he had interpreted his dream of restoration for him? How does this explain how Joseph felt about him being in prison?
v. The cubbearer forgot about Joseph! How typical is this of the men we trust? How then can we avoid being this disappointed by the people we help along life’s journey?
vi. Why do you think Pharaoh’s magicians could not interpret his dreams for him? (read 40: 8b)
vii. Eventually when the cupbearer mentions Joseph, the latter is brought before the king and asked to confirm if he can interpret dreams. How wonderful was his answer and what can we learn from his composure throughout even though he had wanted this opportunity for so long? (read 41: 9- 16)
viii. What have you learnt from today’s devotion.
Kindly share your answers with us on this same social media platform (WhatsApp & Facebook). We learn a great deal from you.
